POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

PGD INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Course Descriptions

Approved by Senate in 1981 and revised in 2010

1.0 Introduction

The Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies has offered the Post-Graduate Diploma in International Relations since its inception. The course has over the years attracted students from government ministries and departments engaged in one way or another in the practice of international relations and diplomacy. The course has also attracted overseas students.

Over the years the course has been offered over one academic year running from October to June. The students on that programme take the following units:

International Relations

International Law

International Economics

Continental African Politics

Diplomacy

French

The Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies is proposing the semesterisation of the Post-Graduate Diploma in International Relations course. It is proposed that the course be taken over two (2) semesters of 15 weeks each as follows:

The semesterisation of the PGD-IR programme will achieve the following objectives:

Ensure more administrative efficiency at the Institute

Harmonise the structure and running of the PGD-IR with the Institute’s other PGD programme, the Post-Graduate Diploma in Strategic Studies

Create harmony with other academic programmes at the Institute

Allow the more professional and efficient conduct of the practical aspects of the PGD-IR course, especially simulations of bilateral and multilateral negotiations, and the study tours.

Enable the students to be offered six additional but highly relevant course units, namely:

International Conflict Management

International Peacekeeping Operations

Foreign Policy Analysis

International Political Economy

Research Methodology for Social Sciences

Diplomatic Methods and Practice

Entry Requirements

The common regulations governing the Postgraduate Diploma programmes in all Faculties, Institute and Schools shall apply.

The following shall be the minimum entry requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations: A first degree from a recognized University or equivalent qualification from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification from a recognized university, and at least one year’s certified experience in relevant public service.

Examination Regulations

The examinations shall be governed by the general examination regulations of the University of Nairobi

A candidate shall be required to pass in all the prescribed course units

Each course unit shall be examined by a three-hour written examination at the end of the semester during which the course is offered

The written examination shall constitute 70% of the marks in each course unit while the course work shall constitute 30%

A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in any course unit with a mark below 50% may, on the approval of Senate, be allowed to re-sit or retake the failed examinations at the next regularly scheduled university examinations sitting, for a maximum of two times

A candidate who fails in the re-sit examinations shall be required to repeat the course unit

The maximum score for a re-sit examination shall be 50%

A candidate who fails in the second re-sit or retake or fails to complete the course within the prescribed time, shall, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be discontinued

A candidate who fails in the second research project examinations shall be discontinued

COURSE DESCRIPTION

RMA 615 Theory of International Relations

Definition of theories, the use and significance of theories in international relations, theories in sciences and social sciences, level of analysis and international relations, the first debate in IR; the second debate; the third debate; partial theories of international relations, classical, modern and neorealist perspectives in international relations, power and international relations structural realism, idealism and neo-idealism theories in international relations, liberalism and neo-liberalism, pluralism, (Marxism, neo-Marxism, dependency theories, integration theories and world system theories), critical theory, gender and international relations, feminist theories, historical sociology. The inter-paradigm debates in international relations

RMA 645International Political Economy (New Course)

Theories and approaches, the international political system before the WWII, the evolution of the international political system since the Cold War, the division of the world into spheres of influence and power blocs, the UN in World politics, contemporary issues in international political economy, international economic systems, international trading systems, international financial systems, international economic institutions, Africa and the world economy, Africa in the international political system.

RMA 673 Theory and Practice of International Peacekeeping (New Course)

Introduction to peacekeeping, types of peacekeeping, frameworks for analysis of peacekeeping, nature of armed conflict, the environment of complex emergencies, principles of peacekeeping, multifunctional peacekeeping, peacekeeping by the UN, African peacekeeping, introduction to peace support operations, peacekeeping in internal conflicts, the UNHCR in peacekeeping operations, issues of command and control in peacekeeping, peacekeeping by sub-regional organizations, post-Cold War problems of peacekeeping, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, refugees in peacekeeping operations, peacekeeping and ethnic conflict, gender issues in peacekeeping operations, child rights in peacekeeping operations, negotiations during peacekeeping operations, case studies

RMA 611: International Relations of Africa

Introduction to African international relations, historical perspectives on African international relations, major determinants of African international relations, governance and the making of foreign policy in African states, pan-Africanism and regional integration and African international relations, conflict and diplomacy in African international relations, international politics and Africa’s international interests, African international relations after the Cold war, international relations of East Africa, international relations of Southern Africa, international relations of West Africa, international relations of North Africa, international relations of selected African states.

RMA 601 Diplomatic Methods and Practice (New Course)

Diplomatic principles and methods, principles, protocol and ceremonial, diplomatic immunity, diplomatic privileges, functions of diplomatic missions, diplomatic facilities, diplomatic actors, quasi-actors and organs, the conduct and management of diplomatic relations, diplomatic needs of new states, problems of multiple accreditation, beginning and end of diplomatic relations, legal problems of diplomatic missions, social problems of diplomatic missions, protection of the interests of third states, reporting from diplomatic missions, handling interests when relations are broken, diplomatic recognition, documents of diplomacy, the conduct of diplomacy in different types of negotiations, technological changes and the future of diplomacy.

RMA 630 Theory of International Law

Introduction to international law, history of international law, development of international law, international law and the modern state system, theory in international law, positivist theories, natural law, socialist theories, pluralism, sources of international law, subjects of international law, relationship between municipal and international law, role of international law in international relations/diplomacy, recognition of states and governments, the acquisition of territory in international law.

RMA 660 Research Methods for Social Sciences (New Course)

Definition, types and approaches to Social Science Research methodologies in social science research, research instruments, data collection, types of data collection and their use in social science research, sampling, meaning and use in data collection, types choice, sample survey, data analysis, description, analysis, explanation, interpretation and prediction, variables, categories, levels of measurement and measures of association, mean and standard deviation, statistical correlation, statistical significance, verification, research proposals, hypothesis testing, modeling and simulation.

RMA 600 Diplomacy

Introduction to diplomacy, theoretical basis of diplomacy, definition, types and concerns of diplomacy, the evolution of diplomacy, functions of diplomacy, diplomacy and international relations, the tools of diplomacy, the process of diplomacy, diplomacy and international law, actors and organs of diplomacy, the development of multilateral diplomacy, interaction between diplomacy and domestic politics, diplomatic immunities, privileges and facilities, diplomatic ceremonial and protocol, theory and practice of bilateral diplomatic negotiations, theory and practice of multilateral diplomatic negotiations, documents of diplomacy, diplomacy and foreign policy analysis, themes in the development of diplomacy, dual diplomacy, diplomacy of the United Nations, diplomacy and communication, diplomacy and the media, conflict, cooperation and diplomacy, diplomacy and war, the diplomacy of conflict management, diplomacy and the peaceful management of conflicts and disputes.

Each student will be required to carry out a research project of his or her own, approved by the Institute, and supervised by a project supervisor. The research project shall not exceed 20,000 words, and shall be marked by the project supervisor.